Electro-Technical Officer

Overview

The typical length of this program is pending Transport Canada provisional approval.

If you have an electrical and electronics background, love the sea, and want to explore the world, this program is for you.

An Electro-Technical Officer oversees the ship's electrical systems, making them one of the most important members of a ship's crew, and they're in demand.

This program builds on your existing electrical and electronics skills to prepare you for working on board commercial ships.

Learn how to:

• repair and maintain electrical and electronic equipment on a ship; ships have highly specialized equipment and systems
• work with high-voltage systems
• respond to an emergency at sea

Sea time

• Due to COVID-19 and global capacity restrictions on vessels, securing sea placements may be a challenge. This will improve as the economy re-opens. To accommodate additional time needed to secure sea placements, the duration of your program may be extended. NSCC continues to work with the marine industry to identify sea placement opportunities.
• During the program, you study on campus from January to June and then complete a 90-day sea internship. You return to study on campus from September to December and then complete an additional 90-day sea internship from January to March.

Choose NSCC

• NSCC is the only place in Canada offering this training.
• This program has Transport Canada provisional approval.
• You learn in a state-of-the-art nautical training facility with simulators.
• This program places a high importance on providing you with skills and knowledge to work safely in industry. You will participate in a number of introductory safety awareness courses to prepare for employment.

Other info

• This program prepares you to write Transport Canada's Electro-Technical Officer Certificate of Competency, which is required to work as an Electro-Technical Officer.
• Successful program completion requires that students maintain an attendance standard of 90%.
• Prior completion of studies in the areas of Basic Engineering Science, Mathematics, Thermodynamics, Mechanics, Chemistry and Basic Electricity and Electronics are critical to your success in this program.
• A current, official Criminal Record check is required to complete work placements (sea time) in this program. A conviction on your criminal record may impact your ability to complete program requirements. Information on this process will be provided at the beginning of your program.
• International students must find a work placement on board a foreign vessel as a Canadian Passport/Permanent Resident Card is required to sail on Canadian flag vessels. Once you secure your work placement, we'll coordinate details with your employer.

2021-22 programs

Program delivery may be subject to change based on Public Health guidelines.

January 2022

Campus	Location	Full time/part time	Delivery	Availability
Strait Area Campus	Classes at Nautical Institute	Full time	In-class	Seats available

Admission requirements

• Undergraduate degree or two-year diploma in Electrical/Electronics/Instrumentation Engineering; or
• Red Seal trade qualifications in Industrial Electrician/Industrial Instrumentation and Control Technician; or
• Hold at least a Second Engineer STCW III/2 Certificate of Competency.
  • International students – Submit your official post-secondary documents for assessment. View English language requirements by country

Program requirements

• A valid Marine Medical certificate (to meet Transport Canada's requirements for approved marine/cadet training programs), is required for the program. Details are provided with your acceptance notification.
• Portfolio Development – As part of your studies at NSCC, you develop a portfolio of your work; the portfolio captures your achievements and profiles your skills to employers.
• H2S Alive

Tuition

Tuition is valid for the 2021-22 academic year. Program costs and fees (textbooks, supplies, etc.) are additional.

Tuition, fees and program costs

In addition to annual tuition, there are program costs (books, tools, etc.) and student fees for college services, health and dental plans, your student association and parking.

View detailed program fees page(s). Please note that amounts on these pages are meant for planning purposes only. They don't represent final amounts owing.

• Electro-Technical Officer

Career options

• Graduates of the program are prepared to work nationally and internationally with a range of companies in the marine industry. Electro-technical officers work on onboard:
  • cargo tankers
  • passenger ferries
  • offshore supply vessels
  • cruise ships
  • Learn more about labour market information – visit Career Options

Courses may include

These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.

ELEC 2110 - Electrotechnology and Electronics I
This course covers the theory and the practical applications needed to effectively communicate technical concepts. The course develops engineering drawings reading, interpretation and sketching skills.

ELEC 2120 - Operation of Electrical, Electronic and Control Systems I
This course is the first of two covering examination of operational aspects of various onboard electrical, electronic and control systems. In this first course, the focus will be on basic parameters and environmental influences on electrical operational systems in a marine environment, distribution and central systems including generators, electrical panels and switchboards.

ELEC 2150 - Maintenance of Electrical, Electronic and Control Systems I
This course is the first of two covering repair and maintenance procedures of various onboard electrical, electronic and control systems. In this first course, the focus will be on basic electrical distribution systems, monitoring and control systems including main propulsion plant and auxiliary equipment.

ELEC 3110 - Electrotechnology and Electronics II
This course is the second of two covering electro-technology and electronics. This second course completes the review of fundamentals of electronics and power electronics and investigates the technology of electrical materials. Learners will also become proficient in reading and interpreting electrical and electronics diagrams.

ELEC 3120 - Operation of Electrical, Electronic and Control Systems II
This is the second course of two that covers operational aspects of electrical, electronic and control systems. This course focuses on the operation of electro-hydraulic and electro-pneumatic systems, electrical drives and the control systems for propulsion and auxiliary equipment. Students will also learn to detect and interpret faults and errors and to take measures to prevent damage to these systems.

ELEC 3150 - Maintenance of Electrical, Electronic and Control Systems II
This is the second course of two that covers maintenance and repair of electrical, electronic and control systems. This course focuses on deck machinery and related equipment, cargo handling and storage systems, and hotel systems.

ELTM 4960 - Seagoing Service and Onboard Training
The work experience component provides the learner with an opportunity to apply new skills and concepts appropriate for entry-level positions within the occupation. Learners will assess their own performance and be evaluated by an industry partner. Learners will identify personal outcomes they wish to attain during the work experience and will keep a journal.

ENVI 2520 - Pollution Prevention
This course details the precautions to be taken to prevent pollution of the marine environment with particular focus on the conventions enforcing pollution controls, systems, documentation and equipment used for anti-pollution controls.

MANT 1121 - Vessel Personnel with Security Responsibilities
This course is intended to provide the knowledge required for seafarers with designated security duties in connection with a Ship Security Plan (SSP) to perform their duties in accordance with the requirements of Chapter XI-2 of SOLAS 74 as amended, the ISPS Code and Section A-VI/6 and Table A-VI/6-2 of the STCW Code, as amended.

MARI 7134 - MED AFF (Advanced Fire Fighting)
This course meets the requirements of the STCW Code Table A-VI/3, Advanced Fire Fighting. - Minimum of 16 year of age - Valid Transport Canada Seafarer’s Medical - Person must hold a training certificate in STCW Basic Safety (or equivalent as per subsection 2.2 of chapter 2 of this standard) before taking the Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF) course.

MEDC 1811 - Marine Basic First Aid
This course provides learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize an emergency, provide appropriate first aid at the scene, notify emergency medical services and promote a safety oriented life style for the prevention of accidents. This course meets the requirements for first aid training as set out by Transport Canada and Workplace Occupational Health and Safety.

MEDC 1821 - STCW Basic Safety
This course provides all Seafarers with the basic understanding of the hazards associated with the Marine Environment and their own vessel; the prevention of shipboard incidents, including fire and procedures for abandonment. It provides Seafarers with the knowledge necessary to raise and react to alarms and to deal with emergencies. The course will ensure that all Seafarers are able to provide assistance in fire and abandonment in emergency situations. It will provide Seafarers with the knowledge and skills which will enable them to assist in their own survival and rescue. The course content meets Standards of Training and Certification of Watchkeeping Seafarers, MED with respect to STCW Basic Safety (MED BST). This course also aligns with Transport Publication 5562 of the Transport Canada certification standard for officer cadets.

MEDC 1822 - Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other Than Fast Rescue Boats
This course is designed to provide seafarers with the basic understanding and knowledge of survival craft and rescue boats, other than fast rescue boats. It meets STCW 6.2 and Canadian requirements under Crewing Regulations for training of marine personnel - MED with respect to Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other than Fast Rescue Boats (MED SC). Participants will advance their knowledge of marine survival craft and associated equipment as well as prepare to manage crew and passengers during abandoning of a vessel, surviving at sea, and being rescued. The course includes: Introduction and Safety; Emergency Situations; Principles of Survival; Use of Personal Survival Equipment; Helicopter Rescue; Survival Craft and Rescue Boats; Launching Arrangements; Lifeboat Engine and Accessories; evacuation; Signalling Equipment and Pyrotechnics; Action Aboard a Survival Craft; Launching and Recovering Lifeboats; Life Raft Launching; Launching and Handling Survival Craft in Rough Weather; Radio Equipment.

MENG 2420 - Fundamentals of Automation and Controls
This course covers the fundamental concepts around automated onboard systems, instrumentation, and controls including monitoring and alarm systems.

MENG 2630 - Ship Mechanical Systems I
This course is the first of two examining vessel mechanical systems with particular focus on the vessel's propulsion system, engine room auxiliary equipment, and deck machinery.

MENG 3125 - Maintenance and Repair of Bridge and Communication Systems
This course covers maintenance and repairs of specialized onboard bridge navigation and communication systems, including radars.

MENG 3620 - Ship Mechanical Systems II
This course is the second of two examining vessel mechanical systems with particular focus on mechanical engineering systems (steering, cargo, and hotel systems), heat transmission, mechanics and fluid mechanics.

MMGT 2208 - Leadership and Canadian Maritime Law
This course covers key elements of Leadership and Canadian Maritime Law including issues around shipboard personnel management and training, workload and resource management and decision-making strategies and techniques. The course provides an overview of important laws and regulations governing shipping and life at sea and also covers fundamental elements of the conduct of ship’s business functions.

NETW 2310 - Ship Computers and Computer Networks I
This course is the first of two in the program covering shipboard computers and computer networks. In this first course, the focus will be on understanding fundamental computer constructs such as data processing, data storage, basic programming concepts and network topology for Ethernet networks.

NETW 3310 - Ship Computers and Computer Networks II
This is the second of two courses dealing with onboard computer systems and networks. In this final course, the focus is on computer networks as well as bridge and engine room computers and commercial computer use.

SAFE 1000 - Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
This course offers learners basic overview of WHMIS principles and establishes a solid foundation to support workplace-specific training on the safe storage and handling of controlled/hazardous products. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive basic WHMIS certification.

SAFE 1001 - Introduction to NS OH&S Act
This course offers students an introduction to the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Act of Nova Scotia, which is required by any person employed in a Nova Scotia workplace. This is a generic, introductory course that provides basic knowledge of the Act for students and is considered to be the basis from which more specific training can be given.

SAFE 2059 - Electro Technical Safety
This course covers issues of safety in onboard electrical environments including safety regulations for shipboard electrical systems, hazard identification, safety and emergency procedures, and procedures regarding operation of electrical and electronic systems in flammable areas.